On Saturday, the Xerox Golden Lions recovered from a slow start against the EP Kings in Port Elizabeth to cruise to a bonus-point 71-7 victory as they dominated territory and possession, which kept alive their semi-final hopes. The hosts conceded several penalties in the opening 15 minutes and the defending champions opted to attack rather than kick at goal, which saw them having to contend with a spirited EP Kings defensive effort.
The Xerox Golden Lions finally broke through for their first try in the 17th minute thanks to a strong maul, but the EP Kings levelled the scores at 7-7 as Sampie Mastriet stretched over the line. That marked the hosts first and last points of the match, as the visitors found their rhythm and scored another three tries to secure their bonus point before the break and a 27-7 lead.
The Johannesburg side ran riot on attack in the second half as they added seven tries to take their total for the match to 11, with captain Kwagga Smith scoring a hat-trick and Howard Mnisi and Jacques Nel each a brace to cap off a fine win.
EP Kings 7 (7) Xerox Golden Lions 71 (26):
- EP Kings – Try: Sampie Mastriet. Conversion: Pieter-Steyn de Wet.
- Xerox Golden Lions – Tries: Anthony Volmink, Howard Mnisi (2), Jacques Nel (2), Koch Marx, Kwagga Smith (3), Ruan Ackermann, Sylvian Mahuza. Conversions: Andries Coetzee (3), Jako van der Walt (5).
Alan Straton
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